Thangjam Charles Meitei who was arrested by Manipur Police in Thoubal district on Sunday for allegedly taking lead role in CAB protests was later released in the afternoon following people’s uproar.(Photo Courtesy: NNN)
Newmai News Network
Imphal | February 17
Manipur Police in Thoubal district on Sunday arrested a youth who allegedly took a leading role in anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Bill protests but later released him in the afternoon, following people’s uproar.
Thangjam Charles Meitei, 35 years from Wangjing Lamding Nashkhong Leikai in Thoubal district was arrested early Sunday, around 5:00 am by a team of Thoubal police from his house.
The arrested youth had allegedly taken an active role in mobilising the people in the district against the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.
Soon after the news of the arrest, people of Wangjing area came out on the street along NH-102 (Imphal-Moreh section) and imposed a road blockade. The protestors demanded immediate release of the youth while alleging that he was arrested by the police accusing him that he was the youth led the anti-CAB protests launched in the district under the aegis of Manipur People Against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (MANPAC).
The road blockade was imposed at Wangjing Bazar and even vehicles of security forces were prevented from crossing the area.
The protestors alleged that police have arrested Charles after lodging a FIR related with protests against CAB in the recent past.
He was also among the protestors who allegedly led the people in storming the residence of MLA P Brojen at Wangjing and burning of effigies of the Prime Minister, the Union Home minister and the state Chief Minister.
Talking to reporters, protestors said that following the arrest of Charles, people of the area who had taken part in the anti-CAB protests were fear of police arresting them.
A woman leader termed the alleged crack-down against anti-CAB protestors as unfortunate while asking whether the state government was taking avenge for being unable to table the contentious CAB in the Rajya Sabha.
The protestors continued to impose the road blockade until the arrested Charles was released by the police this late afternoon, around 3:00 pm.
The conditions on which Charles was released could not be ascertained till the time of filing this report.
